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Scotland to face Japan in June

Date published: December 7 2015

Scotland will face Rugby World Cup rivals Japan in June next year on their June tour – venues, kick-off times and broadcast details to be announced.

The matches will be the sixth and seventh time that the two nations have met on full Test-capped terms, while the countries have played on four other occasions when Scotland have fielded a development ‘XV’ in 1976, 1977, 1989 and 2010.

The most recent clash between the two nations was in this year’s Rugby World Cup where, after a tense start, Scotland got their campaign underway with a clinical five-try (45-10) win over the Brave Blossoms following their historic victory over South Africa.

The result meant Japan – ranked 10th in the world – became the first team to be eliminated at the pool stage of the World Cup, despite winning three matches, while Scotland, ranked ninth, went on to face Australia in the quarter-final.

The victory also kept the Scots unbeaten against Japan in Test conditions, with next year’s games the first to see caps awarded to the two nations on Japanese soil.

"We’re pleased to confirm our 2016 tour will take us to Japan, where our players will enjoy a stern assessment from one of the most improved teams in the world," Scotland head coach Vern Cotter said.

"Japan are forging a very strong rugby culture and will be boosted by the inclusion of a Japanese franchise in Super Rugby for the first time that year, all of which will combine to create a very testing environment for our touring group of players.”